Pupils officially broke ground for the new £88.6 million Forres Academy on Tuesday 15 September, marking a major milestone in one of Moray’s biggest education projects.
The new school is planned to open in autumn 2028 and will accommodate up to 1,120 pupils, including 40 enhanced additional support needs spaces.
Preparatory work was already underway before Tuesday’s ceremony, but pupils from Forres Academy and its associated primary schools were given the honour of officially cutting the turf.
The project is being supported by Scottish Government funding through Phase 3 of the Learning Estate Investment Programme.
The new academy will include modern teaching facilities, flexible learning spaces, improved outdoor areas and a new 3G sports pitch.
Pupils took a central role in Tuesday’s event, speaking about what they hope the new school will offer before heading to the construction site to put the ceremonial spades into the ground.
Education Secretary Màiri McAllan said:
“I’m pleased to be supporting this exciting new campus for Forres Academy, which promises to provide a high-quality environment for pupils to thrive.
“Education is one of the best investments we can make in Scotland’s future, which is why the Scottish Government is supporting school buildings like this one through the £2 billion Learning Estate Investment Programme.
“This fund is driving improvements in schools across Scotland, with the number in good or satisfactory condition increasing from 62.7 per cent in 2007 to a record 92 per cent in 2025.
“I wish everyone connected with the new Forres Academy, and especially the children and young people, the very best for the future.”
Moray Council Leader and Chair of the Education, Children and Leisure Services Committee Councillor Kathleen Robertson said:
“Today was a really special moment for Forres and for Moray, and it felt absolutely right that our young people were the ones cutting the turf.
“Hearing pupils talk about their hopes for the new academy was a wonderful reminder of what this £88.6 million investment is all about.
“We’re creating a place where young people can learn, discover their talents, build friendships and make memories for generations to come.”
Forres Academy Head Teacher Jan Sinclair said:
“This is a very special moment for Forres Academy and our whole school community.
“Our current school has served generations of young people since 1969, and today we are celebrating the beginning of an exciting new chapter.
“I’m particularly proud that our pupils played such an important part in the day, sharing their hopes for the new academy and cutting the turf themselves.
“This new school will give our young people a modern, inspiring place to learn, grow and create memories of their own.”
Hub North Scotland is Moray Council’s delivery partner for the development, with Balfour Beatty responsible for construction.
The turf cutting means the project has now moved beyond plans and drawings into a stage where the pupils who will eventually use the new academy can begin watching their future school take shape.
For a school whose current home has served Forres since 1969, Tuesday’s ceremony marked the beginning of a very different chapter.
